Another year, another MacWorld keynote from Steve Jobs. Normally, something is introduced at these events that blows me away. Last year brought the 17" PowerBook. This year was disappointing, and I'm actually a little miffed.

Rumors were rampant about a smaller, cheaper iPod last month. Seeing as how my heart lusts for that awesome scroll wheel but my budget can't allow it, the idea of a cheaper iPod was rubbing me the right way.

Ends up that everything about the new iPod mini is indeed smaller – size and capacity – except for the price. As someone who thinks the iPod is better than anything other MP3 player out there, why would I spend $249 when another $50 would get me 375% more space for my music. The iPod mini is too expensive to bring the financially challenged into their digital music revolution. Nice try, Steve, but a clear miss.

A 2GB iPod mini for $150 would sell like gangbusters. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Perhaps they can still do it. Here's hoping.

As for the other announcements, GarageBand is pretty awesome. It's missing some features I would want from a music application, like odd time signatures and the ability to make your own loops, but for something that is only $49 as part of iLife ($29 with my student discount) and comes free with new Macs, I'm very impressed. Not PowerMac-G5-impressed or 17"-PowerBook-impressed, but impressed.